Connector locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A quick-disconnect device for electrical, mechanical or hydraulic couplings. Plug and receptacle members have longitudinally offset annular grooves with facing locking ends. A coupling sleeve on one member has spring fingers with inclined ends insertable between the facing locking ends to resist axial separating forces of the plug and receptacle members. Uncoupling is effected by sliding the sleeve to extract the fingers. Modifications of the invention control connector disengagement with varying predetermined axial separating forces on the plug and receptacle members.

' United States Patent Zajac et a1.

Assignee: Omni Spectra, lnc., Farmington,

Mich.

Filed: Jan. 26, 1973 Appl. No.: 326,987

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 166,363, July 16,1971, abandoned.

US. Cl. 339/91 R, 24/211 R, 285/319, 339/130 C Int. Cl H01r 13/54 Fieldof Search 339/16, 75, 91, 45, 143, 339/177, 217, 258 A; 24/211; 85/81;

References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1949 Adams 339/217 S 11/1954Watts 339/217 .1

[111 3,810,073 1 May 7, 1974 2,877,437 3/1959 Flanagan, Jr. 339/91 P3,091,749 5/1963 Felts 339/75 R 3,160,457 12/1964 Fischer 339/91 R3,136,366 6/1964 Brown et a1. 285/306 X 3,297,978 1/1967 Stark 339/177 R3,601,361 8/1971 l-lundhausen 285/319 X 3,603,621 9/1971 Parsons 285/3193,639,890 2/1972 Stevens et a1. 339/91 R Primary Examiner--Richard E.Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT Aquick-disconnect device for electrical, mechanical or hydrauliccouplings. Plug and receptacle members have longitudinally offsetannular grooves with facing locking ends. A coupling sleeve on onemember has spring fingers with inclined ends insertable between 16Claims, 9 Drawing Figures jdi 1 CONNECTOR LOCKING MECHANISM This is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 166,363 filed July 16, 1971, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The inventionrelates to couplers of the quickdisconnect type, and although'theinvention is particularly useful for electrical conduits, it is alsoapplicable to hydraulic or mechanical connections. The invention hasparticular use in discouraging the pulling of an electrical wire orcable in order to disconnect the coupling, such pulling being likely todamage the terminal.

2. Description of the Prior Art Applicant is aware of no priorconnectors of this type having a similar construction. Variousconnectors are available having bayonet slots, sliding springs orpressed plungers, but they are generally of a much more complex andexpensive construction. In addition to the art of record in the parentapplication, the constructions'of the following United States patentsare also known: Brown et al No. 3,136,366, Fischer No. 3,160,457, andStevens No. 3,639,890.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION simple straight in or straight out,push-pull kind of motion. No twisting or turning is necessary as in abayonet or threaded connection, for example. Furthermore, the presentinvention has the advantage that the two parts of the connector can bejoined and locked together by simply pushing one part onto the other.This is a one hand operation. Separate manipulation of two or more partswith both hands to effect coupling is not necessary as in the case ofmany prior art connectors.

More particularly, the instant connector comprises interfitting plug andreceptacle members provided with confronting annular surfaces, formedwith offset-annular grooves which have facing locking ends, preferablyin the form of frustoconical surfaces. A coupling sleeve is slidablymounted on one of the members and has axially extending spring fingerswith inclined ends.

To couple, the plug member and the coupling sleeve are simply pushedinto the receptacle member with one hand while the receptacle member isheld with the other hand. This simple operation automatically locks thetwo'members securely together. The inclined ends of the locking fingerssnap into the grooveof the receptacle as the latter is pushed home andthey wedge firmly between the locking ends of the grooves to positivelyresist any separating force exerted directly on the plug and receptaclemembers by reason of the fact that the separating force merely causescompression of the spring ends between the locking ends of the grooves.Uncoupling is effected merelyby slidably retracting the coupling sleeveso as to withdraw the spring ends from between the locking ends of thegrooves.

Variations of the invention are provided to permit disengagement despitelarge or moderate axial separating forces on the carriers, that is, theconduits or cables secured to the plug and receptacle members. Othermodifications are provided which prevent disengagement of the couplingwith light, moderate or heavy pulling forces on the carriers. In allembodiments,'coupling and uncoupling of the connector will take placeonly by applying the proper axial forces to the coupling sleeve.Disengagement can never take place when the separating forces areapplied to the carriers only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2and 3 showing a semi-open locking angle which permits connectordisengagement despite a moderate axial separating force applied to thecarriers.

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing still another embodi-.

ment of the invention in which a semi-closed" locking angle preventsconnector disengagement with moderate to heavy axial separating forceson the carriers.

FIG. 6 illustrates another variation of the invention inwhich fullyclosed locking angles prevent connector disengagement with light axialseparating forces on the carriers. I

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in elevation illustratingatypical'electrical connector application using the connector lockingmechanismof this invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in elevation showing the application ofthe invention to a hydraulic coupling, and I FIG. 9 is a cross-sectionalview in elevation showing how the invention can be applied to amechanical coupling.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to theembodiment of FIGSLI and 2, the connector comprises three basic parts, aplug member generally indicated at 11, a receptacle member generallyindicated at 12, and a coupling sleeve generally indicated at 13. Allthree of these elements ll, 12 and 13, and therefor the connectoritself, are of circular cross-sectional shape but they may be ofrectangular or other suitable shape. The plug and receptacle members arenormally secured to the ends of conduits, cables, wires, hoses, or otherelongated elements for electrical, mechanical .or hydraulic uses. Theseelements, not illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 but shown in FIGS. 7 through9, are generically referred to herein as carriers.-

As'suggested, the plug member 11 here shown is of elongated generallycylindrical shape and has an inner bore 14 extending therethrough. Theend 15 of plug member 11 here shown is flat, and an annular groove 16 isformed on the external annular surface 17 of the plug. Groove 16 has apair of frustoconical surfaces 18 and 19 at its opposite'ends.

The receptacle member 12 is of larger diameter than I the plug member 11and it has a bore 20 extending thereth'rough which is aligned with thebore 14 when the connector is coupled.'The outer end 21 of the reerallyindicated at 22 extends inwardly threfrom and confronts the surface 17of the plug. The surface 22 is formed with a flared entrance 23 whichleads to a cylindrical bore 24, and the latter in turn is followed by afrustoconical ramp 25..T his ramp 25 in turn is followed by a relativelyshort cylindrical surface 26 which leads to an annular groove 27 havingfrustoconical end surfaces 28 and 29. A shortcylindrical bore 31 extendsinwardly from the groove 27 and ends in a flat surface 32. The entiredistance from the surfaces 21 to 32 is such that the plug member 11 mayenter the receptacle member 12 sufficiently to achieve the lockingcondition described below. In this position, groove 16, which may betermed the inner groove, and groove 27 (the outer groove) are axiallyoffset. It should be noted that the diameter of surfaces 26 and 31 isonly slightly greater than the external diameter of plug member 11, andthat when the plug member is fully entered into the receptacle memberfrustoconical surfaces 18 and 28, which are of substantially the sameangle, are-in facing spaced relation. 7

Coupling sleeve 13 is slidably mounted on surface 17 of plug member 11and comprises a main finger gripping portion 33 having one or moregripping grooves 34, and a central bore 35 which rides on the plugmember. A plurality of circumferentially spaced spring fingers 36 extendaxially from one end of sleeve 13. Each of these fingers has a mainaxially extending portion followed by an inwardly tapered portion 37, ashort axially extending portion 38 and then flared ends 39. The distanceof fingers 36 from the sleeve centerline is such that in their normalunstressed position they will assume the approximate configuration shownin FIGS. 1

.and 2. In this position, portions 38 of the fingers will be disposed ingroove 16 of the plug, retaining sleeve 13 thereon. The spring fingersare capable of being flexed inwardly when ends 39 engage ramp 25 as theconnector is being coupled, and then springing outwardly between lockingsurfaces 18 and 28.

In operation, assuming an initial condition in which the plug andreceptacle members are uncoupled and coupling sleeve 13 is in sameposition on the plug member within'the limits of its travel permitted bythe groove 16, the sleeve is held in one hand and the receptacle memberis held in the other hand and the two are simply pushed together. Thismotion, of course, also causes the plug member 11 to be inserted. intothe receptacle member 12 until the surface of the plug member engages orsubstantially engages the surface 32 of the receptacle member. When themembers 11 and 12 first come together in the coupling motion, thefingerends 39 engage the ramp 25, causing the fingers to flex inwardly,and as the coupling motion proceeds, the spring finger ends are guidedby surface 26 unil they spring outwardly between the locking end of thegrooves 16 and 27 for mutual engagement by the surfaces 18 and 28. Theconnector will then be in its pled.

To uncouple the connector, a rightward force will be exerted by theoperators fingers on coupling sleeve 13, sliding finger ends' 39 out ofthe space between surfaces 18 and 28. The fingers will be bent inwardly,entering groove 16 with the finger ends passing ramp 25. The connectorwill then be unlocked and may be uncou- FIG. 3 shows a modification ofthe invention which is basically similar to that previously describedbut in which the connector can be uncoupled despite fairly large axialseparating forces applied to plug member 101 and receptacle member 102.In this case, frustoconical-surface 103 on receptacle member 102 has a 1shallower angle thanthat of end 104 of spring member 105. Frustoconicalsurface 106 of plug member 101 has a steeper angle than that of springend 104. The resuit is that the frustoconical surfaces of theplug andreceptacle members will not fully engage the spring finger ends as inthe case of the first embodiment. Therefore, withdrawal frictionalresistance of the spring fingers will be minimized, permittinguncoupling of the connector despite fairly large axial separating forcesapplied to the plug and receptacle members.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention in whichuncoupling is permitted despite moderate axial separating forces appliedto the plug and receptacle members. The plug member is indicated at 201.and

the receptacle member at 202, and frustoconical sur- "open" conditionwith respect to the spring finger ends, uncoupling can be effected eventhough a moderate axial separating force is being-applied to the plugand receptacle members. l

- FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention in whichuncoupling of the connector will be prevented if moderate to heavy axialseparating forcesare applied to the plug and receptacle members. Theplug member is indicated at 301 in FIG. 5 and the receptacle member at302. In this case, frustoconical surface 303 of plug member 301 has thesame-angle as spring end 304. However, surface 305 of member 302 has asteeper angle than the spring end. This will create a relatively largefrictional force which keeps the spring fingers locked in place whenmoderate to heavy separating forces are applied to the plug andreceptacle memcoupling can be accomplished by shifting coupling sleeve13 to the right as described above.

FIG. 6 is a fifth embodiment of the invention in which even light axialseparating forces on the plug and receptacle members will preventuncoupling of the connector. The plug member is here indicated at 401and the receptacle member at 402. Both frustoconical surfaces 403 and404 of the plug and receptacle members respectively have steeper anglesthan spring ends 405. The result will be that very large frictionalforces will be created even with light axial separating forces on thetwo members, thus not permitting withdrawal of. the spring fingers by arightward force applied to the coupling sleeve.

It will be noted that the degrees of the angular differences between thefrustoconical surfaces and the spring member ends may be varied in allof these embodiments, thus achieving any desired combination of closedor open angles and therefore controlling to a great extent theconditions under which the connector can be uncoupled.

FIG. 7 illustrates a typical electrical connector application using thisinvention. The connector is generally indicated at 501 and comprises aplug member generally indicated at 502, a receptacle member generallyindicated at 503 and a coupler sleeve generally indicated at 504. Thecarrier in this case is the coaxial cable 505 which is attached to plugmember 502 with sleeve 506. The plug half of the electrical connectorsalso comprises male pin 507 and insulator 508 disposed within member502.

The receptacle half of the connector includes female contact 509 andinsulator Sill disposed within receptacle member 503. The outerconductor electrical contact is assured by outer contact ring 512, whichis very important for radio frequency transmission requirements. in thisconnection, however, it will be readily appreciated that, while the malepin 507 is here shown associated with the plug member 502 and the femalecontact is shown associated with the receptacle member 503, thisarrangement can be and sometimes is reversed. Weather sealing can beobtained by compression ofa gasket 513. This gasket may be of conductivematerial to minimize radio frequency radiation or leakage. Receptaclemember 503 is attached to a conventional panel 514 by a jam nut 515 andwasher 516. The receptacle could have another configuration such as acoaxial cable type with similar cable attachments as shown for the plug.

in operation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, it will be noted that couplingof the connector may be effected as previously described. Uncoupling ofthe connector cannot be effected by an axial pull exerted on cable 505,but only by sliding coupling sleeve 504 to the right to withdraw thespring finger ends from between the facing frustoconical surfaces of theplug and receptacle members.

FIG. 8 shows the connector of this invention applied to a typical gardenhose having sections 601 and 602. Section 601 is mounted on the plugmember which is generally indicated at 603 while section 602 is attachedto receptacle member 604. A pressure sealing gasket 605 is disposedbetween the members. Standard hose attachments 606 and 607 may be usedto attach the hose to the members in a manner which prevents leakage.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is similar to the previousembodiments. Coupling of the connector will be effected by insertingplug member 603 in receptacle member 604 and then sliding couplingsleeve 608 to the left until spring finger ends 609 enter between thefacing frustoconical surfaces on the plug and receptacle members.Uncoupling will be accomplished by pulling coupling sleeve 608 to theright.

It should be mentioned that the embodiments of FIGS. 3 or 4 could beparticularly useful in hydraulic applications of the invention, if anaxial separating force is applied to the plug and receptacle members dueto the weight of the carrier or the equipment with which the connectoris used.

HO. 9 illustrates an application of the invention to mechanicalpurposes, namely to connect a pair of cables 701 and 702. These cablesare secured to plug members 703 and receptacle member 704 respectively.

The remaining parts of this embodiment, including coupling sleeve 705,are similarfto the previous embodiments, and the operation will be thesame.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector comprising detachably interfitting plug and receptaclemembers having radially spaced confronting annular surfaces providedwith inner and outer facing locking shoulders, an annular couplingsleeve slidable on said plug member, means attaching an elongatedelement to said plug member, said sleeve having axially extending,radially flexible spring fingers disposed between said annular surfaceswhen the members interfit and formed with flared ends insertable betweensaid facing locking shoulders, whereby to resist axial separating forcesapplied to said members and to lock said members securely together, saidfinger ends being deflectable radially by one of said locking shouldersupon axial sliding movement of said sleeve relative to the plug member,thus uncoupling said members so they may be separated, the sleeve beingcompletely withdrawable from said plug member at least in an uncouplingdirection past said attaching means after the members have beenseparated, and facing abutment means on said plug and receptacle membersseparate from said annular surfaces and said sleeve and directlyengageable when the plug member is inserted in the receptacle member tolimit their relative movement in an engaging direction independently ofsaid sleeve.

2. The combination according to claim 1, intermediate portions of saidspring fingers being bent inwardly and disposed in an annular groove ofthe plug member to retain the coupling sleeve thereon.

3. The combination according to claim 1, said locking shoulders formingthe ends of grooves, the locking ends of said grooves being formed bysurfaces at least one of which is angularly related to said springfinger ends.

4. The combination according to claim 3, the angle of said receptaclemember surface being less than the angle of said spring finger ends andthe angle of said plug member surface being greater than the angle ofsaid spring finger ends, whereby withdrawal frictional resistance ofsaid spring ends will be minimized, permitting uncoupling of theconnector despite relatively large axial separating forces applied tosaid plug and receptacle members.

5. The combination according to claim 3, the angle of one of said grooveend surfaces being substantially the same as said spring finger ends,the angle of the other surface being less than said spring finger ends,whereby uncoupling of said connector will be permitted despite moderateaxial separating forces being applied to said plug and receptaclemembers.

6. The combination according to claim 3, the angle of one of said grooveend surfaces being substantially the same as said spring finger ends,the angle of the other surface being greater than said spring fingerends, whereby uncoupling of said connection will be prevented whenmoderate to heavy axial separating forces are applied to said plug andreceptacle members.

7. The combination according to claim 3, the angles of said groove endsurfaces being greater than said spring finger ends, whereby uncouplingof said connection will be prevented when relatively light axialseparating forces are applied to said plug and receptacle members.

8. The combination according to claim 1, said elongated membercomprising an electrical conduit having a pin, the receptacle beingsecured to a female contact.

9. The combination according to claim 8, said electrical conduitcomprising a coaxial cable, said receptacle member being panel mount.

10. The combination according to claim 1, said elongated membercomprising a hose, said receptacle member also being attached to a hose,said facing shoulders comprising a gasket disposed between the outer endof said plug member and a shoulder within said receptacle member, themembers both having passages connected to said hoses.

11. The combination according to claim 1, said elongated membercomprising a cable, said receptacle members also being attached to acable.

12. The combination according to claim 1, said annular coupling sleevebeing annularly closed.

13. The combination according to claim 1, the intermediate portions ofsaid fingers being offset radially inwardly from their end portions anddisposed in a plug member groove to yieldably retain the sleeve thereonbut being substantially shorter than the axial extent of said groove,whereby both locking and unlocking of said members may be accomplishedby movement of said coupling sleeve alone.

14. The combination according to claim 13, said fingers and plug membergroove having additional surfaces coacting in response to withdrawal ofsaid sleeve after separation of the members to flex said fingersoutwardly and permit continued withdrawal of the sleeve in an uncouplingdirection, all other parts of said plug member being in non-obstructingrelation with said sleeve whereby the sleeve is withdrawable from theplug member in either direction when the plug and receptacle members areseparated.

15. A coaxial plug connector for use in conjunction with a receptaclemember having an inwardly facing annular surface with an annular lockingshoulder, said connector comprising an annular plug member having anoutwardly facing groove, means securing an elongated element to saidplug member, a coupling sleeve having an annularly closed portionslidably mounted on said plug member, the sleeve having a plurality ofaxially extending resilient fingers, said fingers having intermediateportions disposed in said groove to releasably retain the sleeve on saidplug member, and flared end portions, the internal diameter of saidannularly closed portion of the sleeve being greater than the externaldiameter of any portion of said plug member or element securing means,whereby said sleeve is removable from and replaceable on the plug memberfrom the front or back thereof but only by axial sliding movementrelative thereto.

16. The combination according to claim 15, said fingers having firstportions of relatively large diameter and inwardlysloping portionsextending therefrom to said intermediate portions.

1. A connector comprising detachably interfitting plug and receptaclemembers having radially spaced confronting annular surfaces providedwith inner and outer facing locking shoulders, an annular couplingsleeve slidable on said plug member, means attaching an elongatedelement to said plug member, said sleeve having axially extending,radially flexible spring fingers disposed between said annular surfaceswhen the members interfit and formed with flared ends insertable betweensaid facing locking shoulders, whereby to resist axial separating forcesapplied to said members and to lock said members securely together, saidfinger ends being deflectable radially by one of said locking shouldersupon axial sliding movement of said sleeve relative to the plug member,thus uncoupling said members so they may be separated, the sleeve beingcompletely withdrawable from said plug member at least in an uncouplingdirection past said attaching means after the members have beenseparated, and facing abutment means on said plug and receptacle membersseparate from said annular surfaces and said sleeve and directlyengageable when the plug member is inserted in the receptacle member tolimit their relative movement in an engaging direction independently ofsaid sleeve.
 2. The combination according to claim 1, intermediateportions of said spring fingers being bent inwardly and disposed in anannular groove of the plug member to retain the coupling sleeve thereon.3. The combination according to claim 1, said locking shoulders formingthe ends of grooves, the locking ends of said grooves being forMed bysurfaces at least one of which is angularly related to said springfinger ends.
 4. The combination according to claim 3, the angle of saidreceptacle member surface being less than the angle of said springfinger ends and the angle of said plug member surface being greater thanthe angle of said spring finger ends, whereby withdrawal frictionalresistance of said spring ends will be minimized, permitting uncouplingof the connector despite relatively large axial separating forcesapplied to said plug and receptacle members.
 5. The combinationaccording to claim 3, the angle of one of said groove end surfaces beingsubstantially the same as said spring finger ends, the angle of theother surface being less than said spring finger ends, wherebyuncoupling of said connector will be permitted despite moderate axialseparating forces being applied to said plug and receptacle members. 6.The combination according to claim 3, the angle of one of said grooveend surfaces being substantially the same as said spring finger ends,the angle of the other surface being greater than said spring fingerends, whereby uncoupling of said connection will be prevented whenmoderate to heavy axial separating forces are applied to said plug andreceptacle members.
 7. The combination according to claim 3, the anglesof said groove end surfaces being greater than said spring finger ends,whereby uncoupling of said connection will be prevented when relativelylight axial separating forces are applied to said plug and receptaclemembers.
 8. The combination according to claim 1, said elongated membercomprising an electrical conduit having a pin, the receptacle beingsecured to a female contact.
 9. The combination according to claim 8,said electrical conduit comprising a coaxial cable, said receptaclemember being panel mount.
 10. The combination according to claim 1, saidelongated member comprising a hose, said receptacle member also beingattached to a hose, said facing shoulders comprising a gasket disposedbetween the outer end of said plug member and a shoulder within saidreceptacle member, the members both having passages connected to saidhoses.
 11. The combination according to claim 1, said elongated membercomprising a cable, said receptacle members also being attached to acable.
 12. The combination according to claim 1, said annular couplingsleeve being annularly closed.
 13. The combination according to claim 1,the intermediate portions of said fingers being offset radially inwardlyfrom their end portions and disposed in a plug member groove toyieldably retain the sleeve thereon but being substantially shorter thanthe axial extent of said groove, whereby both locking and unlocking ofsaid members may be accomplished by movement of said coupling sleevealone.
 14. The combination according to claim 13, said fingers and plugmember groove having additional surfaces coacting in response towithdrawal of said sleeve after separation of the members to flex saidfingers outwardly and permit continued withdrawal of the sleeve in anuncoupling direction, all other parts of said plug member being innon-obstructing relation with said sleeve whereby the sleeve iswithdrawable from the plug member in either direction when the plug andreceptacle members are separated.
 15. A coaxial plug connector for usein conjunction with a receptacle member having an inwardly facingannular surface with an annular locking shoulder, said connectorcomprising an annular plug member having an outwardly facing groove,means securing an elongated element to said plug member, a couplingsleeve having an annularly closed portion slidably mounted on said plugmember, the sleeve having a plurality of axially extending resilientfingers, said fingers having intermediate portions disposed in saidgroove to releasably retain the sleeve on said plug member, and flaredend portions, the internal diameter of said annularly closed portion ofthe sleeve being greater than the externaL diameter of any portion ofsaid plug member or element securing means, whereby said sleeve isremovable from and replaceable on the plug member from the front or backthereof but only by axial sliding movement relative thereto.
 16. Thecombination according to claim 15, said fingers having first portions ofrelatively large diameter and inwardly sloping portions extendingtherefrom to said intermediate portions.